In a powerful moment for Houston, Beyoncé took the stage at Vice President Kamala Harris’ rally on Friday, urging the crowd to unite and take action.
“We are at the precipice of an enormous shift,” she declared. “I’m not here as a celebrity. I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother.”
With her longtime friend Kelly Rowland by her side, Beyoncé emphasised the urgent need for change, adding, “We’re all part of something much bigger. We must vote, and we need you.”
The excitement reached a fever pitch as she urged the audience to embrace their power and participate in shaping the future, saying, “Let’s do this. Ladies and gentlemen, give a big, loud Texas welcome to the next president of the United States, Kamala Harris.”
The rally also featured a performance from Willie Nelson, who entertained the crowd with his classics, “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and “On the Road Again.”
Although Beyoncé didn’t perform at the event, her song “Freedom” has become an anthem for the Harris-Walz campaign, resonating with the themes of empowerment and change.
Since the start of Harris’ presidential campaign in July, “Freedom” has been a constant presence, with Harris using the track — with Beyoncé’s permission — at various appearances.
The song’s streams skyrocketed by 1,300 percent following its association with Harris’ campaign, showcasing the impact of music on political messaging. The campaign even utilised the track for a video ad at the DNC, further solidifying its role in the political narrative.
However, tensions have flared as well; Harris threatened to send a cease-and-desist to the Trump campaign after they used a clip of “Freedom” in one of their own videos.
Beyoncé’s appearance came months after speculation suggested she would perform at the DNC in late August. While those rumours were later debunked by her publicist, who urged supporters to “focus on the win and register to vote,” her rally performance served as a reminder of the power of celebrity in shaping political discourse.
With Beyoncé’s impassioned message and Kamala Harris at the forefront of the movement, the rally not only ignited enthusiasm but also underscored the critical importance of voter engagement in these pivotal times.
